Abstract: <strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a cost-effective way to fill in gaps between surface in situ observations and remotely sensed data from space. In this study, a novel portable <span class="inline-formula">CO<sub>2</sub></span> measuring system suitable for operations on board small-sized UAVs has been developed and validated. It is based on a low-cost commercial nondispersive near-infrared (NDIR) <span class="inline-formula">CO<sub>2</sub></span> sensor (Senseair AB, Sweden), with a total weight of 1058 g, including batteries. The system performs in situ measurements autonomously, allowing for its integration into various platforms. Accuracy and linearity tests in the lab showed that the precision remains within <span class="inline-formula">±</span> 1 ppm (1<span class="inline-formula"><i>σ</i>)</span> at 1 Hz. Corrections due to temperature and pressure changes were applied following environmental chamber experiments. The accuracy of the system in the field was validated against a reference instrument (Picarro, USA) on board a piloted aircraft and it was found to be <span class="inline-formula">±</span> 2 ppm (1<span class="inline-formula"><i>σ</i>)</span> at 1 Hz and <span class="inline-formula">±</span> 1 ppm (1<span class="inline-formula"><i>σ</i></span>) at 1 min. Due to its fast response, the system has the capacity to measure <span class="inline-formula">CO<sub>2</sub></span> mole fraction changes at 1 Hz, thus allowing the monitoring of <span class="inline-formula">CO<sub>2</sub></span> emission plumes and of the characteristics of their spatial and temporal distribution. Details of the measurement system and field implementations are described to support future UAV platform applications for atmospheric trace gas measurements.